TODAY’S READING: EXODUS 1-4
OVERVIEW:
The bondage of the Jews in Egypt; Moses’ birth and early life in Egypt; Moses’ flight into Midian; the burning bush; God commissions Moses and Aaron to deliver Israel; Moses’ return to Egypt.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
The word “exodus” means “the way out.” The Book of Exodus is the story ofIsrael’s deliverance from bondage inEgypt. It should be noted as we begin this portion of the Bible, that more column inches are given to the record ofIsrael’s exodus than any other thing in the entire Bible! It is the subject matter, not only of the Book of Exodus, but the Books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy! Why so much detail about one event? I Corinthians 10:1-11 tells us why. The exodus is not just a PORTION ofIsrael’s history. It is a PORTRAIT of the Christian life! God tells us that we’re given this incredible record ofIsrael’s history, so that the same thing that happened to them doesn’t happen to us! (See I Cor. 10:6, 11) The sad reality is that for most believers, it does!
To help you to “develop the pictures” as we make our way throughIsrael’s exodus, keep in mind that:
- EGYPTis a picture of the world and sin that is in opposition to God’s people and seeks to hold them in bondage. (Eph. 2:2)
- PHARAOH is a picture of Satan who exercises his will in taking God’s people captive. (II Tim. 2:26)
- ISRAELis a picture of the individual believer. Please note thatIsraelis not a picture of the church! In Exodus 4:22-23, God plainly declares that “Israelis my son” and commands Moses to tell Pharaoh to “let my son go, that he may serve me.” In the New Testament, God reveals that as individual believers in Christ, we now posses the title, “son of God” (I John 3:2; John1:12; Rom.8:14). Making the proper connection betweenIsraeland the individual believer will keep you from “wrongly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim.2:13), and misapplying God’s Word to your life.
- MOSES is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the redeemer.
- AMALEK is a picture of the flesh, which constantly wars with our spirits as we seek to walk with Christ (Gal.5:16-17).
Keep in mind as you read aboutIsrael’s affliction in today’s reading, that the Jews had gone down toEgyptand lived off the best of the land (Gen. 47:6). This luxury has now turned into sorrow and suffering. It is an inescapable principle of life! Sin promises freedom and happiness, but in the end, only leads to bondage and sorrow. Be constantly on guard against the “deceitfulness of sin”! (Heb.3:13;Rom.7:11; Eph. 4:22)
As the Hebrews remained in bondage for 400 years, it seemed as if God was either unaware or unconcerned of their situation. They, no doubt, felt forsaken, and wondered why God had not provided their deliverance. Had they only remembered what God said in Genesis 15:13-16, they would have known that God had already prophesied that the duration of their bondage would be 400 years. During these years when it seemed as if God was doing nothing, He was actually preparing His people (Ex.1), preparing the deliverer (Ex. 2-4), and waiting in mercy by giving the wicked nations of Canaan time to repent (Gen. 15:16). When you feel that God is unaware or unconcerned about your circumstances, remember that God is constantly at work in your life for your good and His glory (Rom.8:28-29), even when you can’t see it with your physical eyes!
At 40 years of age, Moses determined that it was time to accomplish the mission for which He had been called: to deliverIsrael. There was only one problem, however. It wasn’t God’s time! Exodus2:12says that Moses “looked this way and that.” Moses wanted to do what God said, but he was walking by sight and not by faith (II Cor. 5:7). God had 40 years of training ahead for Moses in the land of Midian serving as a shepherd for his father-in-law’s flock, before he would be prepared for the difficult task that lie ahead in leading God’s flock.
You also see that when Moses “looked this way and that way” that he thought know one was looking. But there was some watching him the whole time that he was committing his sin. WHO IS WATCHING YOU?
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through MOSES as SHEPHERD and DELIVERER – Ex. 3:1, 11 (John10:11-14; Heb.13:20; I Pet. 5:4; Rom.11:26; Titus2:14)
Note: Moses is one of the most perfect types of Christ in the Bible. Moses himself makes this declaration in Deut. 18:15.
As the Great I AM – Ex. 3:13-14 (John8:58; Heb. 13:8)